In a "bittersweet farewell," the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition announced today that its policy director, Andy Thornley, has been picked for an internship at the SFMTA's SFPark program. His transition to city government is a positive sign for the livable streets movement in San Francisco.
Thornley sent an email to colleagues today announcing that he'll be leaving SFBC at the end of the month. "After seven remarkable and profoundly rewarding years," he wrote, "I'll be moving on to a new adventure. I'm taking a position on the SFMTA's outstanding SFPark team, working with that innovative, effective, award-winning program on the business of rationalizing the way San Francisco manages parking, for the benefit of everyone."
Thornley is known as an amiable alliance-builder and a knowledgeable, insightful guru on the bureaucracy and politics of transportation issues. While at SFBC, he also served as president of TransForm's Board of Directors (and still sits on it). I've had the pleasure of learning from him since I held an internship at the SFBC in 2009, and I've always found the perspective he provides to be invaluable. (We even once rode together in a mega Bike Party-esque bicycle parade through Copenhagen.) Thornley assured his colleagues that he'll "certainly still be an active, involved member of the SFBC."
This also won't be the first time SFPark has picked up some advocate talent: Former Streetsblog reporter Michael Rhodes recently held an internship at the program.
We'll be eagerly anticipating great things from Andy in his new role.
